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Saturday, 15 November 2014

Why The US Refused To Sell Cobra Helicopters To Nigeria

The United States has said that it refused to sell its Cobra helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about the Nigeria’s military ability to use and maintain them. The cobra attack helicopter is a combat aircraft used by the US marines with the ability to climb at the rate of 8.2meters per second. It is equipped with a 20 mm M197 3-barreled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 rounds ammo capacity).

But America stated that it had provided and approved sales of military equipment to Nigerian armed forces. The US State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, stated this in Washington on Wednesday while responding to questions from journalists on the allegations made by the Nigerian ambassador to US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye. Adefuye had told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that the US refused to sell lethal arms to Nigeria, adding that America was not doing enough to assist in combating the Boko Haram insurgency in North-Eastern part of the country.

The ambassador said the US was letting down an old ally in its hour of need, and that Nigerians and the FG feel abandoned.